2024-02-28-世界银行-促进赞比亚青年技能发展_TEVET和技能发展前景回顾（英）_92页_3mb

Summary of TEVET and Skills Development in Zambia

Zambia's demographic transition presents opportunities for economic growth, but challenges remain due to high youth unemployment and disengagement. Most TEVET programs are low quality and inadequate for meeting labor market demands.

Key Findings

• Youth unemployment reached 13.8% in 2020—affecting over 375,000 individuals, predominantly ages 15–35. Female youth face barriers to accessing economic opportunities.
• The majority of employed youth (63%) work in low-productivity informal jobs in the agricultural sector. Foundational skills deficits (e.g., literacy and numeracy) further limit employability.
• Key skill gaps were identified across sectors, particularly in wholesale trade, retail, and hospitality. Enterprises cited shortages in digital literacy and technical skills.
• TEVET enrollment remains clustered in urban areas, with 85% of institutions in Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces. Most training institutions are barely meeting minimum quality standards (Grade 3 rating).
• MOFNP's 2022–2026 National Development Plan prioritizes scaling up technical, vocational, and entrepreneurship skills to address emerging labor market demands.

Recommendations

• Short-term: Focus on foundational skills remediation programs for low-skilled youth. Strengthen governance of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) and career guidance systems.
• Medium/Long-term: Implement a credit transfer framework for seamless progression along the qualifications ladder. Establish national forums to enhance inter-ministerial coordination and stakeholder participation.
• Inclusive Financing: Improve access to private sector partnerships and promote equitable participation for disadvantaged groups (women, persons with disabilities).

The report highlights the need for strengthening the TEVET regulatory framework, modernizing infrastructure, and increasing public investment to align education and skills training with economic transformation goals.